paper 3 key terms

US topics 1-5

bipartisanship

Congress structured to encourage cross-party cooperation.

checks and balances

Each branch can limit the others.

codification

Constitution written in one document.

entrenchment

Protected from easy change (Article V amendments).

enumerated powers

Explicit powers listed in the Constitution.

federalism

Sovereignty shared between federal and state govts.

limited government

Power constrained by the Constitution.

separation of powers

Legislature, executive, judiciary distinct.

caucuses

Groups of legislators with shared interests (e.g. Black Caucus).

divided government

Presidency and Congress controlled by different parties.

filibuster

Senate tactic to block bills/appointments by prolonged speech.

gridlock

Political stalemate where little legislation passes.

incumbency

Advantage of current officeholders.

mid-term elections

Congressional elections halfway through a presidency.

oversight

Congress supervising other branches.

partisanship

Strong party loyalty, often causing gridlock.

unanimous consent

Procedural agreement to speed up Senate action.

domestic politics

Internal issues (e.g. healthcare, guns).

electoral mandate

Authority to govern from election victory.

executive orders

Presidential directives with force of law.

imperial presidency

Excessively dominant president.

imperilled presidency

President too weak to act effectively.

informal powers

Unwritten powers (e.g. persuasion, prestige).

unified government

Same party controls Congress + presidency.

judicial review

Power to strike down laws/executive actions.

judicial activism

Using rulings to promote social change.

judicial restraint

Deferring to elected branches + precedent.

originalism

Constitution fixed, no reinterpretation.

living constitution

Constitution evolves via reinterpretation.

stare decisis

Standing by precedent.

strict vs loose construction

Narrow vs. broad interpretation.

swing justice

Centrally positioned justice deciding key cases.

affirmative action

Favouring disadvantaged groups to ensure equality.

campaign finance

Money raised/spent in elections.

invisible primary

Early fundraising/pre-primary campaigning.

PACs

Committees donating limited funds to candidates.

super PACs

Unlimited spending (no coordination with candidates).

soft vs hard money

Unlimited party donations vs. regulated candidate donations.

factions

Sub-groups within parties.

interest groups

Policy (AIPAC), professional (AMA), single-issue (NRA).

religious right

Conservative Christian movement backing Republicans, opposing abortion/same-sex marriage.